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The Treatise on the Stages of Yoga Practice 11
Each day we are given “24 fresh hours” as a treasure, containing earth–water–sky–clouds; happiness does not come naturally but must be learned and “cultivated” with mindfulness in our breathing, our steps, our loving gaze, and our conscious smile. Suffering is not an enemy but is the mud for the lotus flower: we learn to recognize, embrace, and to transform our sadness, jealousy, and fear into fragrant lotuses, and in this way, true happiness can be present.
The practice in the Discourse on Mindful Breathing (steps 5–8) and the Anapanasati Sutra with five mantras helps us to recognize happiness and suffering: by silently saying to ourselves or to another each phrase:
- “Darling, I am here for you.”
- “Thank you. I know you are there.”
- “Darling, I know you suffer. That’s why I am here for you.”
- “Darling, I suffer. Please help me.”
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“This is a happy moment.”
When we practice – for example, during walking meditation in the morning among flowers, leaves, mist, the moon, the sun – we touch the wonders of the universe right in the present moment, cultivating happiness and reducing suffering.